Letter: No dumb belles

Sir: I was stunned by Sue Arnold's column "Girls are too sensible for sport" (31 March). It conveyed an attitude to exercise that ignored solid medical evidence.

Regular exercise has been shown to reduce the incidence of diabetes, lower the risk of bowel cancer and reduce the risk of high blood pressure. Those of us that regularly exercise and compete in sport can also point to reduced stress, lowered heart rate, greater self-esteem and improved weight control.

I'm sure many women will find offensive the comment that sporty women are deeply unattractive .

The United Kingdom and the rest of the western world face an epidemic of diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease as a consequence of obesity and inactivity. Our genome is capable of much more than this, certainly more than a "gentle glow". For the sake of your health, get out, feel the wind in you face and enjoy the endorphin high.

Dr DAVE NICHOLLS

Sports Medicine Practitioner

Fen Ditton, Cambridgeshire